The Relationships Between Health, Food, Sustainability, and Our Planet

This is a deep dive discussion with Nile Nair, PhD (Phd Fellow - 美国哈佛大学 T.H. Chan School of Public Health) and Nina Benoit (Director of Sustainability - Brightest) into the Interconnectedness between our health, diet and the environment

Understanding the intricate relationship between our health, the food we consume, and the impacts on our climate and environment is more critical than ever. As we explore this complex relationship, it becomes clear that our dietary choices not only influence our personal health but also the health of our planet.

This week, we're sharing some insights from Nile Nair, a PhD fellow at Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health and C-Change Student Ambassador, to explore the multifaceted impact of sustainable dietary habits, the role of policy and community initiatives, and the pressing need for a global shift towards more sustainable practices.

The Interconnectedness of Diet, Health, and Climate

According to the global non-profit foundation EAT, established by the Stordalen Foundation, Stockholm Resilience Centre, and Wellcome Trust, “Food is the single strongest lever to optimize human health and environmental sustainability on Earth”.

This interconnectedness suggests that our fight against climate change begins with the food on our plates, as well as the agricultural system and supply chain delivering it. Food and agriculture are the fourth largest source of global greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) - estimated to be approximately 25-30% of the world’s newly-emitted carbon each year.

In fact, sustainable dietary habits not only reduce our environmental footprint, but also promote public health by preventing chronic diseases linked to poor diet choices.

So what should we be eating? And what health risks may we encounter by eating unsustainable or unhealthy food?

The Ideal Diet: Insights from Research

Research into sustainable dietary patterns reveals a clear winner for both human and planetary health: a largely plant-based diet. Under Dr. Walter Willett’s mentorship, The Planetary Health Dietary Index, developed and validated for various populations through Linh Bui and Nile's research, emphasizes the benefits of significantly reducing red meat, processed food, industrial agriculture, and sugar alongside a substantial increase in sustainably-grown plant-based foods.

“The Planetary Health Diet, which I am researching and developing, places a strong emphasis on plant-based foods, suggesting a reduction in certain food items and a significant increase in plant-based food consumption. Common dietary contributors to chronic disease include red meats, refined sugars and grains, and processed foods.” - Nile Nair

Nile’s and other research recommend a balanced approach to including fish, poultry, and dairy in our diets for sustainability and health benefits. He advises moderate fish consumption for its nutritional value (like Omega-3 fatty acids, key vitamins, and protein), while suggesting red meat be eaten with restraint. Dairy intake should be considered carefully, focusing on less processed options (like milk) to meet specific nutritional needs without overburdening the environment.

In all cases, your personal dietary preferences, ethical views, health goals, personal context, economic means, and sustainability considerations can be factored together to develop an approach that works for you - and achieves balance across the food system.

Understanding Cultural Context, Socioeconomic Resources, and Food Accessibility

Understanding the global diversity of dietary habits is crucial for implementing sustainable food solutions. Nile's work highlights the importance of considering cultural contexts in dietary recommendations. "Asking someone in Sub-Saharan Africa to limit beef ?or poultry?consumption may not be equitable, where these animal-sourced proteins and organ meats are?crucial sources of iron, folic acid, and other nutrients [without viable substitutes or alternatives]" he explains, underscoring the need for flexibility and cultural sensitivity in global dietary guidelines.

Similarly, in the U.S, there is a significant history of marginalized groups living in urban areas or food deserts who may not have access to sustainable food options and rely on processed foods with high sodium and fat content. The Netflix series “You Are What You Eat ”, led by a Stanford University research team, dives into this issue and how it affects health and our environment.

The Role of Policy and Community in Sustainable Change

Nile points out that while individual actions are crucial, systemic change should be facilitated through policy reform and community engagement.

“Advocating for policy changes and participating in community initiatives can help build a healthier and more sustainable future for both individuals and the planet. It's crucial to recognize the interconnectedness of personal and environmental health, moving away from an individualistic perspective to understand how our choices affect the broader ecosystem, including family, humanity, and the environment.” Nile Nair

The challenge, however, lies in overcoming the barriers posed by industry lobbying and the complexity of translating scientific evidence into practical, policy-oriented solutions. Bridging this gap requires a concerted effort from all stakeholders, including scientists, policymakers, and the public.

So how you can take action today?

Based on these insights, there are few steps you can take to improve your health alongside your environmental impact:

• Eat more plant-based food: Multiple research has shown that increasing our consumption of fruits, vegetables, nuts, and (whole) grains has a positive impact on our health and the planet. Plants are rich with fiber, polyphenols, and other nutrients that have been scientifically demonstrated to improve everything from gut health and inflammation to mitochondrial function and the immune system
• Buy local and seasonal food: Buying local and seasonal food (when available) decreases the need for transportation, thus reducing the environmental impact of the food you eat. It also has the added benefit of supporting local farmers. Eating diverse food based on the season will also benefit your gut health (1)
• Eat less (or no) red meat: Red meat consumption (particularly in excess) has been proven to increase risk for heart disease, cancer, diabetes, and premature death (2) . The drastic production of methane (another potent type of Greenhouse Gas besides carbon dioxide) associated with livestock farming is a significant environmental challenge to be addressed
• Avoid processed food and sugar: Processed foods and sugar both have clear negative impacts on our health. Research also suggests that consuming processed food encourages large-scale monoculture farming, degrades soil health and natural carbon sinks, and contributes to deforestation and biodiversity loss (3)

Finally, there's also a critical fifth lever:

• Take a collaborative, systems approach to solutions: While we're all confronted with the tyranny of individual consumer choice in our day-to-day, as we've said before, these challenges call for collective action, problem-solving, and scalable solutions. It's great to make personal dietary choices that are sustainable - can you influence your family? your neighborhood? your office where you work? There are already many great local, national, and international organizations focused on regenerative food system transformation - try to find one whose mission resonates with you, and look for opportunities to get involved or support them

Conclusion

The journey towards a sustainable future is complex and multifaceted, intertwining the health of individuals, communities, and the planet. As Nile's insights reveal, a shift towards plant-based diets, supported by informed policy and active community engagement, can lead us to a healthier and more sustainable world. However, achieving this vision requires overcoming significant barriers, including industry resistance and the need for cultural sensitivity and equity in dietary guidance and solutions.

By embracing the interconnectedness of our health, our food, and our climate, we can pave the way for a sustainable future for all.

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Sources:

1 https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27110483/

2. https://www.health.harvard.edu/staying-healthy/whats-the-beef-with-red-meat

3. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0959652622027445